Alpha Dog Pet Centers, 46370 Middle Ridge Road in Amherst, is a one-stop shop for pet care needs that extends beyond typical care items and accessories.
As a multi-faceted pet care business, Alpha Dog Pet Centers offers a retail space with care items, a 24/7 self-serve pet wash, limited quick grooming services, pet massage therapy services, a monthly pet vaccination clinic and dog training, according to owner Chip Ingersoll.
“We strive to kind of be a one-stop shop, all-in-one retail pet supply boutique,” Ingersoll said. “We have everything from holistic pet foods, to toys, treats, pet supplies, stuff to health and wellness.
“We try to find stuff that is maybe not as mainstream.”
According to Ingersoll, items and brands found in the store typically are not found in chain pet supply stores.
The store even has products from Lorain County businesses such as fleece toys and bandanas.
Since its inception in 2013, Alpha Dog has featured its unique self-serve pet washing station that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to accommodate any schedules and situations, Ingersoll said.
The fee is based on time used and the machines, which were updated in 2021.
It features two washing bays equipped with heated water, soap and shampoo as well as air conditioning and heating for year-round service.
“The self-serve pet washes work a lot like a self-serve car wash that is all self-contained out there,” Ingersoll said. “We get a lot of people here that will wash their dog really late at night or really early in the morning, and it could be because in the middle of the night, the dog goes out and rolls in something.”
According to Ingersoll, he has his hands in dog training, with the help of his education background, and incorporated that into the business.
He said he works with dogs on behavioral issues related to anxiety and resource guarding, and offers group training classes for basic lessons and commands, which usually are for puppies.
Being a small business in a tight-knit community, he said this opportunity has allowed his team to form connections, and in some cases, friendships with customers through the personable customer service interactions.
Ingersoll said he has received loads of support over the years from the community and even sees regulars that have been loyal since the beginning.
“I never envisioned it being as involved as it is,” he said. “We have had a really, really good response from the community.
“We get a lot of positive feedback and we have a ton of repeat customers, or customers who have been with us all 10 years we’ve been open.”
For more information on services or to see more items in the large online shop, visit alphadogpets.com.
